Agricultural sprayer control system

ABSTRACT

An agricultural sprayer has a fluid delivery network that supplies one or more sets of spaced-apart nozzles for the application of plant protection products. An electronic controller is arranged to receive and store an operating parameter for each one of a plurality of drift reduction classes. The operating parameter may be an upper pressure limit. The controller is operable to control at least one of a pump, a vehicle speed, a nozzle selection, and a display based on the operating parameter of a selected one of the plurality of drift reduction classes.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national phase entry under 35 U.S.C. § 371 ofInternational Patent Application PCT/EP2020/064585, filed May 26, 2020,designating the United States of America and published in English asInternational Patent Publication WO 2020/239771 A1 on Dec. 3, 2020,which claims the benefit of and priority from United Kingdom ApplicationNo. 1907664.5, filed May 30, 2019, the entire disclosure of each ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to the control of agricultural sprayer machinesused to apply pesticides and other inputs to crop fields and typicallycomprising a fluid delivery network with a pump in hydrauliccommunication with a plurality of spaced-apart nozzles.

BACKGROUND

Agricultural sprayers are used by farmers and contractors to applypesticides and other nutrient-containing solutions to crop fields.Sprayers can be mounted to, or towed by, a tractor or other suitablevehicle, or may be self-propelled with an integrated means of propulsionand a driver's cab. The sprayer machine typically includes a storagetank for the liquid to be applied, the tank being filled as required bythe operator. Alternatively, in systems which offer lower groundpressure, the sprayer machine may be semi-permanently connected by apipe to a local (field-based) bowser, wherein the applied liquid issupplied via a pipe from the bowser to the sprayer continuously as thesprayer is repeatedly moved across the crop field.

The liquid is applied to the field by a number of discharge devicesmounted in a spaced relationship along the length of a boom which,itself, is mounted to the sprayer vehicle. The discharge devices areeach connected to the storage tank by a fluid delivery networkcomprising various pipes, valves, pumps and other plumbing, and at leastone nozzle. The liquid is typically atomized by the nozzle and appliedto the crop in a jet of mist for example.

The fluid delivery network operates at a variable system pressure tocreate an expulsion force for the liquid. The system pressure isgenerally proportional to the flow rate of the liquid through thenozzles with a quadratic relationship, and can be adjusted in dependenceon a groundspeed to deliver a target application rate to the crop field,the higher the system pressure the greater the flow rate.

The system pressure is known to have an effect on the droplet size ofthe applied liquid. A lower system pressure produces a larger dropletsize, whereas a higher system pressure produces a smaller droplet sizeor finer mist. Therefore, for a given nozzle, the physical properties ofthe applied liquid can change with groundspeed as the system pressure isadjusted ‘on-the-fly’ to deliver the target application rate.

The physical properties of the applied liquid can affect the efficacy ofthe pesticide and/or the drift characteristics. For example, a finermist (produced at higher system pressures) typically delivers bettersurface coverage of the crop or ground and thus greater pesticideefficacy. However, a finer mist is also more vulnerable to drift causedby ambient wind conditions for example, whereas a larger droplet size(produced at lower system pressures) reduces the risk of drift.

One approach for reducing drift includes air induction nozzles which usethe venturi effect to introduce air into the spray droplets as theliquid is forced through the nozzle. The air induction makes thedroplets less susceptible to drift.

Drift-reducing technology has also led to the introduction of driftreduction classes for nozzles in which marketed nozzles are certified asmeeting drift reduction classes, for example 50%, 75%, 90% driftreducing, when operated within specified pressure ranges. For example, anozzle may be certified as delivering 75% drift reduction when operatedat pressures between 1.5 bar and 3.0 bar. In operation therefore, inorder to meet 75% drift reduction the operator must ensure that thepressure does not exceed 3.0 bar.

It is known to provide multi-nozzle discharge devices which comprise twoor more nozzles that can be activated independently. The chosen nozzlestypically have different flow rate characteristics. Each nozzle, orcombination thereof, can be activated to deliver different droplet sizesfor a given application rate. Or, in other words, each nozzlecombination is capable of delivering different flow rates at a givenpressure. The nozzle, or nozzle combination, can thus be selected tocater for the current conditions and/or to deliver the desired result.For example, in windy conditions, a nozzle with a higher flow ratedelivery may be selected so that the sprayer can operate at a lowersystem pressure and produce a courser mist.

In the case where multiple nozzle sets are available to the operator,each nozzle set (including combinations of nozzles) may have a differentpressure range specification for the different drift reduction classes.

Legal approval of some pesticide products is known require a sprayoperator to apply the product at a given drift reduction class, but thisrequirement is often limited to buffer zones around field features thatpresent a raised pollution risk. For example the operator may berequired to spray the product with 90% drift reduction within a 25-meterzone from the field boundary but only with 50% drift reduction away fromthat zone. Monitoring the operating pressure to ensure that the driftreduction class requirements are met is particularly onerous, especiallywhen multiple nozzle sets with different drift reduction requirementsare available.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In some embodiments, an agricultural spraying machine has a fluiddelivery network with a pump in hydraulic communication with a pluralityof spaced-apart nozzles, and an electronic controller configured toreceive and store an operating parameter for each one of a plurality ofdrift reduction classes. The controller is operable to control at leastone of the pump, a vehicle speed, a nozzle selection, and a displaybased on the operating parameter of a selected one of the plurality ofdrift reduction classes.

By storing the operating parameters for a plurality of drift reductionclasses, the sprayer can be controlled in accordance with those driftreduction classes with greater ease for the operator.

The term ‘hydraulic communication’ should be understood to refer to anarrangement wherein fluid can flow between first and second componentsthat are in hydraulic communication with one another, and includes,inter alia, an arrangement having intermediate components between thefirst and second components through which fluid can flow.

The operating parameter is preferably an upper pressure limit. Thespraying machine preferably further comprises a pressure sensor arrangedto measure a pressure of the fluid delivery network. The controller mayalso receive and store for each one of the plurality of drift reductionclasses a lower pressure limit. In an alternative embodiment, theoperating parameter may be droplet size wherein the droplet size of theapplied spray is measured using optical sensing, for example.

In one embodiment, the pump is controlled to maintain the pressure belowthe upper pressure limit of the selected one of the plurality of driftreduction classes. Control of the pump in conjunction with sensing ofthe pressure may simply serve to prevent the pressure from exceeding thepressure limit of a selected drift reduction class.

In one embodiment, an operator may enter the operating parameter foreach one of the plurality of drift reduction classes through a userinterface device connected to the controller. For example, the userinterface device may comprise a keyboard or a touch-sensitive display.

In one embodiment, the controller is configured to receive anapplication rate setpoint, a nozzle reference flow, and a nozzlereference pressure; and calculate an active speed setpoint based uponthe application rate setpoint, the nozzle reference flow, the nozzlereference pressure, and the operating parameter of the selected one ofthe plurality of drift reduction classes. The active speed setpoint maybe used in an active manner in which a forward speed of the machine islimited at or below the active speed setpoint, or in a passive manner inwhich the active speed setpoint is simply displayed on the display forguidance for the operator. A speed setpoint is thus calculated on thebasis of a selected drift reduction class wherein a change in theselected drift reduction class may result in a change of the speedsetpoint, caused by a lower permitted upper pressure, for example.

Although applicable to sprayer machines that have a single basic set ofspaced nozzles, this disclosure lends itself particularly well tomulti-nozzle arrangements. In one embodiment, the sprayer machine has aplurality of nozzle groups disposed in a mutually spaced relationshipand connected to the fluid delivery network. Each nozzle group has aplurality of nozzles that can be independently activated, and whenactivated, a nozzle from the plurality of nozzles is put into hydrauliccommunication with the fluid delivery network. The controller isconfigured to receive and store for each nozzle in the nozzle groups arespective operating parameter for each one of the plurality of driftreduction classes.

The controller may also be configured to automatically select andactivate one or more nozzles from each nozzle group based upon theoperating parameter of a currently selected drift reduction class. Forexample, reaching an upper pressure limit for one set of nozzlesoperating according to a given drift reduction class may cause thecontroller to automatically switch to a different set of nozzles thatallow a faster forward speed while still meeting the application ratesetpoint and the given drift reduction requirements.

It should be understood that the term ‘nozzle group’ used herein isintended to refer to a spray discharge device having a plurality ofnozzles that can be independently activated, wherein the group of devicerepresents a repeating unit along a boom for example, the unit beingspaced at regular intervals. The term ‘nozzle set’ used herein isintended to refer to one or more nozzles from each of the nozzle groupsto include spaced nozzles, or combinations of nozzles, of the same typeor having the same flow characteristics along the operating width of thesprayer. A nozzle set may include a combination of different nozzlesfrom each nozzle group or only single nozzles from each nozzle group.

In another embodiment, the controller is configured to calculate a speedrange for each of the plurality of drift reduction classes, and toautomatically select and activate a nozzle set based upon a sensedactual speed and the speed range.

In yet another embodiment, the controller is configured to select one ofthe plurality of drift reduction classes based upon a locationidentifier. The location of the sprayer may be obtained through a globalsatellite navigation system associated with a tractor attached to thesprayer, for example. Used in conjunction with an application map thatidentifies zones for different drift reduction classes, the locationidentifier enables the controller to automatically select the driftreduction class and retrieve the stored operating parameters associatedtherewith.

Another embodiment includes a method of controlling an agriculturalspraying machine having a fluid delivery network with a pump inhydraulic communication with a plurality of spaced-apart nozzles. Themethod includes receiving and storing a respective operating parameterfor each one of a plurality of drift reduction classes, selecting one ofthe plurality of drift reduction classes, and controlling one of thepump, a vehicle speed, a nozzle selection, and a display based upon theoperating parameter associated with the selected drift reduction class.

According to yet another embodiment, a controller for an agriculturalsprayer machine is configured to receive an application rate setpoint, apressure setpoint, a nozzle reference flow, and a nozzle referencepressure; calculate a speed setpoint based upon the application ratesetpoint, the nozzle reference flow, the nozzle reference pressure, andthe pressure setpoint; and control at least one of a forward speed and adisplay based upon the speed setpoint.

Another embodiment includes a method of controlling an agriculturalspraying machine comprising receiving an application rate setpoint, anupper pressure limit, a nozzle reference flow, and a nozzle referencepressure; calculating a speed setpoint based upon the application ratesetpoint, the nozzle reference flow, the nozzle reference pressure andthe upper pressure limit; and controlling at least one of a forwardspeed and a display based upon the speed setpoint.

Another method includes automatically selecting a nozzle set from aplurality of nozzle sets on an agricultural spraying machine. The methodincludes receiving an application rate setpoint, and for each nozzle setan upper pressure limit, a lower pressure limit, a nozzle reference flowand a nozzle reference pressure; calculating a speed range for eachnozzle set, wherein each speed range comprises a lower speed limit andan upper speed limit; sensing a forward speed of the spraying machine;and selecting one of the nozzle sets based upon the forward speed andthe speed ranges.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages will become apparent from reading the followingdescription of specific embodiments in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a tractor and pull-type sprayer combinationsuitable for implementation of embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of part of the spraying machine inaccordance with an embodiment showing some nozzles connected to thefluid delivery network;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of part of a spraying machine in accordancewith an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is functional flow diagram showing various sub-systems of aspraying machine in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a plot of system pressure against forward speed for a fixedtarget application rate for three different nozzle combinations (nozzle21, nozzle 22, and nozzle 21+22);

FIG. 6 is the same plot shown in FIG. 5, overlaid with nozzle selectionand speed setpoints for 50%, 75% and 90% drift reduction conditions;

FIGS. 7 through 9 each show a screen from the operator console of thespray machine of FIG. 4; and,

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating a sprayermachine in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the disclosure will be described in connection with thesedrawings, there is no intent to limit to the embodiment or embodimentsdisclosed herein. Although the description identifies or describesspecifics of one or more embodiments, such specifics are not necessarilypart of every embodiment, nor are all various stated advantagesnecessarily associated with a single embodiment or all embodiments. Onthe contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications,and equivalents included within the scope of the disclosure as definedby the appended claims. Further, it should be appreciated in the contextof the present disclosure that the claims are not necessarily limited tothe particular embodiments set out in the description.

With reference to FIG. 1, an agricultural spraying machine 10 isillustrated in the form of an agricultural tractor 12 and trailedsprayer 14 combination wherein the sprayer 14 is attached to the tractor12 at a hitch 15 in a known manner. The tractor 12 and sprayer 14 aredriven in a generally forward direction (arrow F) through crop fields toapply pesticides or other nutrient-containing solutions to a growingplant or directly on to the ground. The sprayer 14 is of a generallyknown pull-type construction and includes ground-engaging wheels 16 anda spray boom 18 which extends transversely with respect to the forwarddirection F.

It will be appreciated that although a tractor and trailed sprayercombination is illustrated in FIG. 1, embodiments can be implemented inother types of agricultural sprayer machines including mounted sprayersand self-propelled sprayers.

Although not shown in FIG. 1, the spray boom 18 may comprise a number ofboom sections which are foldable into transport position as is wellknown in the art. It should be appreciated that the spray boom 18 shownin FIG. 1 is not necessarily to scale and is shown in schematic formonly. For example, the spray boom 18 may extend up to widths of around48 meters.

With reference also to FIG. 2, mounted to the boom 18 are a plurality ofnozzle groups 20 disposed in a mutually-spaced relationship at adistance ‘z’. Each nozzle group 20 includes twoindividually-controllable nozzles 21, 22, wherein the nozzles 21, 22 foreach group have the same flow characteristics. In other words, eachnozzle group has a first nozzle 21 of a first type and a second nozzle22 of a second type which is typically different from the first type.The details and control of the nozzles 21, 22 will be described in moredetail below.

Turning back to the sprayer 14, a chemical tank 24 is provided on aframe for the storage of the chemical solution to be applied. A fluiddelivery network 26 is represented schematically in FIG. 1, and servesto hydraulically connect the chemical tank 24 with the nozzles 21, 22.Further details of the fluid delivery network 26 will also described inmore detail below.

In the illustrated embodiment, a first electronic control unit (ECU) 28is located on the tractor 12 and a second ECU 30 is located on thesprayer 14. The ECUs 28, 30 are connected by wired or wirelessconnection 32 which allows the controllers 28, 30 to communicateaccording to the ISO standard 11783 ‘ISOBUS’. ISOBUS facilitates amutual communication between implements and tractors regardless of theOEM and, in this case, enables data collected and generated by sprayerECU 30 to be communicated to tractor ECU 28.

Although two ECUs 28, 30 are disclosed in the illustrated embodiment, itshould be understood that the control logic described may be carried outon one or both of the tractor 12 and sprayer 14. For example, thecontrol components described may be located on the sprayer 14 alone. Itshould be understood, therefore, that references to controller 34hereinafter are in relation to ECU 28, 30 wherein the components andfunctionality of controller 34 may be located in one of the tractor ECU28 and sprayer ECU 30 or distributed across both.

The controller 34 may be embodied as a custom-made or commerciallyavailable processor, an auxiliary processor among several processors(although simplicity in component numbers is desirable for AAM), asemi-conductor micro-processor (in the form of a microchip), a macroprocessor, one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICS),a plurality of suitably configured digital logic gates, and/or otherwell-known electrical configurations comprising discrete elements bothindividually and in various combinations to coordinate the overalloperation of the controller 34.

The controller 34 includes a memory 62 that may include onboard storagedevices represented by read-only (ROM) and random-access (RAM) devices(not shown).

When certain embodiments of the control systems are implemented at leastin part as software (including firmware), it should be noted thatalternatively or in addition to ROM, the software can be stored on avariety of non-transitory computer-readable medium for use by, or inconnection with, a variety of computer-related systems or methods. Inthe context of this disclosure, a computer-readable medium may comprisean electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical device or apparatusthat may contain or store a computer program (e.g., executable code orinstructions) for use by or in connection with a computer-related systemor method. The software may be embedded in a variety ofcomputer-readable media for use by, or in connection with, aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as acomputer-based system, processor-containing system, or other system thatcan fetch the instructions from the instruction execution system,apparatus, or device and execute the instructions.

When certain embodiments of the control systems are implemented at leastin part as hardware, such functionality may be implemented with any or acombination of the following technologies, which are all well-known inthe art: a discrete logic circuit(s) having logic gates for implementinglogic functions upon data signals, an application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC) having appropriate combinational logic gates, aprogrammable gate array(s) (PGA), a field programmable gate array(FPGA), etc.

Turning to FIG. 2, three nozzle groups 20 each having two nozzles 21, 22are shown. Although not shown in detail, each nozzle 21, 22 is mountedupon the rigid structure of boom 18 (FIG. 1). It should also beappreciated that a typical sprayer will include perhaps several tens ofnozzle groups 20 and that only three are illustrated in FIG. 2 forclarity of explanation. Furthermore, the nozzle groups 20 may comprisemore than two nozzles.

The fluid delivery network 26 includes a fluid supply line 36 whichhydraulically connects a variable flow pump 38 to the nozzles 21, 22located on the boom 18. The pump 38 pressurizes the fluid supply line 36by pumping chemical solution from tank 24. Pump 38 may be one of varioussuitable types including roller vein pumps, centrifugal pumps, diaphragmpumps, and axial-piston pumps, by way of example. The output of the pump38 is controlled by a rate controller 40 which is part of the controller34 and connected to the pump 38 via a databus 42 and an electronicconnection 44.

Although a databus 42 is shown and described, the various electroniccomponents can be connected directly without the use of a databuswithout deviating from the scope of the disclosure.

The volumetric flow through the fluid delivery line 36 is measured by aflowmeter 46. The pressure of the fluid delivery line 36 is measured bya pressure sensor 48. Both the flowmeter 46 and the pressure sensor 48are in electronic communication with controller 34 via the databus 42.

It will be appreciated that the fluid control circuit (or part thereof)shown in FIG. 2 is highly simplified and various other components whichwould typically be included such as a clean water rinse tank, a chemicalinductor, return lines, etc., have been excluded for the sake of simpleexplanation.

Each nozzle 21, 22 is plumbed in to the fluid delivery line 36 with arespective connection which comprises a respective electrical solenoidvalve 52 for selectively activating the nozzle 21, 22. Each solenoidvalve 52 is electrically connected to a nozzle controller 50 which is incommunication with databus 42 and is embodied in controller 34. Thenozzle controller 50 selectively activates and deactivates theindependently controllable nozzles 21, 22. In an alternative embodimentthe solenoids are replaced with electrical motors.

The output of each nozzle 21, 22 is proportional in a quadraticrelationship to the pressure p in the fluid delivery line 36, wherein agreater pressure leads to a higher output flow and a lower pressureleads to a lower output flow.

For the sake of explanation, the illustrated embodiment has nozzles 21having a first flow characteristic and nozzles 22 having a second flowcharacteristic that is different from the first. It should be understoodthat the term “flow characteristic” relates generally to the output flowrate of a given nozzle at a reference pressure. It is known in the artthat nozzles having different flow characteristics are available so asto meet a desired application rate within a desired pressure range forexample. Such nozzle flow characteristics may be identified by a knowncolor-coding system.

Although shown schematically in FIGS. 1 and 2, it should be appreciatedthat nozzle groups may be presented in many different ways. For example,the individual nozzles in each group may be arranged in a compactarrangement and having respective connections to the fluid supply lineas illustrated. Alternatively, an integrated spray body having aplurality of nozzles may be connected to the fluid supply line by asingle connection, wherein the nozzles are selected by a valve and/or byrotating the spray body.

References to ‘nozzle sets’ hereinafter is intended to refer to one ormore nozzles from each of the nozzle groups 20 to include spacednozzles, or combination of nozzles, of the same type or having the sameflow characteristics, along the boom 18. A nozzle set may include acombination of different nozzles (21, 22, or 21+22) from each nozzlegroup 20 or only single nozzles (21, 22) from each nozzle group 20. Thereference number 21′ will refer to a nozzle set comprising all nozzles21. The reference number 22′ will refer to a nozzle set comprising allnozzles 22. The reference number 21+22′ will refer to a nozzle setcomprising a combination of all nozzles 21 and all nozzles 22. Theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 through 9 has nozzle groups with fournozzles each resulting in fifteen different nozzle sets (see FIG. 9)which includes the different combinations of nozzles within the group.

With reference to FIG. 3, the sprayer machine 10 further comprises aspeed sensor 54 which senses the forward speed of the machine 10 andcommunicates this to controller 34 via databus 42. The speed sensor 54may be a standalone sensor attached to the sprayer 14 or tractor 12(radar sensor) or may take a ground speed signal from an on-boardsatellite positioning system.

The tractor 12 further comprises an operator console 56 which includes auser interface 58 in the form of a touch screen or a keyboard forexample, and a display 59. If embodied in a self-propelled sprayer, itshould be understood that the user interface and display is located inthe cab of such. In another embodiment, the user interface and displayare embodied in a smart device which may be in wireless communication(by Bluetooth for example) with the controller 34 and located in theoperator cab.

Rate Control

Turning to aspects of the control functionality of controller 34 andstarting with rate control, the rate controller 40 controls the outputof the pump 38 to maintain a target flow q to meet the application ratesetpoint Q. Calculation of the pump output may be performed with thefollowing values:

Application rate setpoint Q Actual forward speed v_(a) Actual productflow q_(a) Operating width w Nozzle reference pressure of active nozzleset p_(x-ref) Nozzle reference flow of active nozzle set q_(x-ref)Product pressure setpoint p_(t)

Pump control signals generated by the rate controller 40 may be pulsewidth modulated.

The application rate setpoint Q is entered by the operator and stored bythe controller 34. FIGS. 7 through 9 each show a screen from respectiveviewing modes of the operator console 56. FIG. 7 shows a Nozzle Settingsscreen 64, FIG. 8 shows a Spraying Control Main screen 60, and FIG. 9shows a Droplet Control screen 65.

In the embodiment corresponding to the screens shown in FIGS. 7 through9, it should be appreciated that the example includes an arrangementwith nozzle groups having four individual nozzles (labelled ‘Nozzle 1’,etc.) rather than the two nozzles shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The SprayingControl main screen 60 allows the operator to set the application ratesetpoint Q. The arrangement shown includes buttons 60 a, 60 b forentering the application rate set point Q which, in this example, isshown as being set at 200 l/ha.

The actual forward speed v_(a) is generated by the speed sensor 54 orequivalent device. The actual product flow q_(a) is generated by theflow meter 46. The operating width w (corresponding to the activenozzles) and nozzle spacing z is stored in the memory 62.

In the Nozzle Settings screen 64, the operator can enter a nozzlereference pressure p_(x-ref) and nozzle reference flow q_(x-ref) foreach nozzle available in the group. In the example shown, ‘Nozzle 1’ isselected, a reference pressure p_(1-ref) of 3.0 bar is entered, and areference flow (at 3 bar) a q_(1-ref) is entered as 0.8 l/min. Thereference pressure p_(1-ref) and reference flow q_(1-ref) enable thecontroller 34 to determine a predicted flow rate at a given pressurewhen Nozzle 1 is selected. The same information is entered for the otheravailable nozzles in the group.

The Droplet Control screen 65 allows an operator to enter the productpressure set point p_(t) that represents a target pressure in the fluiddelivery line 36.

Using these constants and variables, the rate controller 40 controls thepump 38 to deliver the correct flow to apply the chemical solution atthe target rate Q. It will be appreciated that as the variables change,this affects the control of the pump 38. For example, if the target ratesetpoint Q is increased, then the pump output (and system pressure p)will be increased in response.

Drift Reduction Settings

As forward speed v is increased, the required rate q increases and sothe output of pump 38 and the operating pressure p is increased. Arelationship between system pressure p and forward speed v for differentnozzle sets at a constant target rate Q is shown in FIG. 5. A first plotf₂₁ corresponds to the first nozzle set 21′, a second plot f₂₂corresponds to the second nozzle set 22′, and a third plot f₂₁₊₂₂corresponds to the third nozzle set 21+22′.

As mentioned in the background section above, drift-reducing technologyhas led to the introduction of drift reduction classes for nozzles inwhich marketed nozzles are certified as meeting drift reduction classes,for example 50%-, 75%-, 90%-drift reducing, when operated withinspecified pressure ranges. By way of example, and with reference to thenozzles 21, 22, example upper pressure limits may be assigned as perTable 1 below.

TABLE 1 Upper pressure limit per Drift Reduction Class (bar) Nozzle 50%75% 90% Nozzle 21 7.0 4.0 2.5 Nozzle 22 8.0 6.0 3.0

A minimum operating pressure may also be assigned to ensure that theoutput spray is of a sufficient quality. In one embodiment, the enteringof a minimum operating pressure per drift reduction class per nozzle ismade mandatory for the operator.

In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 34 receives and stores foreach nozzle 21, 22 an upper pressure limit for each of three driftreduction classes as shown above. Also, a lower pressure limit isentered for each of three drift reduction classes for each nozzle.

The upper pressure limits for each nozzle operating under each driftreduction class can be entered into the controller 34 by the user usingthe operator console 56 and Nozzle Settings screen 64. Alternatively,the controller 34 may store a lookup table of different nozzles andtheir corresponding operating parameters for different drift reductionclasses, and retrieve the operating parameters based on anidentification of the nozzle type.

The Nozzle Settings screen 64 allows the operator to enter the upper andlower pressure limits p_(dr-1) for Nozzle 1. In this example, theoperator has entered an upper pressure limit of 3.0 bar for the 75%drift reduction class, and a lower pressure limit of 1.5 bar. Theoperator can switch from nozzle to nozzle using buttons 66 a to 66 dshown on the right-hand side of FIG. 7. For each nozzle set the operatorcan enter upper and lower pressure limits for each drift reductionclass.

In operation, the controller 34 or the operator selects one of the driftreduction classes c₅₀, c₇₅, c₉₀ The controller 34 operates the sprayer14 to indirectly maintain the operating pressure p between the lower andupper pressure limits of the selected drift reduction class bycontrolling speed, wherein the speed is controlled according to speedsetpoints that are determined based at least in part on the driftreduction pressure limits p_(dr). See below for a more detailedexplanation of speed setpoints.

In one embodiment, the controller 34 is configured to select one of thedrift reduction classes based upon a location identifier which may beprovided by a global position system in conjunction with an applicationmap having a plurality of regions, each region being associated with aspecific drift reduction class. In other words, the drift reductionclass selected by the controller 34 is determined by the position of themachine 10 in relation to the application map.

In an alternative, more primitive, embodiment, the pump 38 is controlledto maintain the pressure p below the upper pressure limit of theselected or active drift reduction class. However in a preferredembodiment, the drift reduction parameters p_(dr) are embedded in thenozzle settings to calculate speed setpoints and speed ranges which willbe described in more detail below.

Speed Setpoints

The controller 34 embodies a speed controller 68 which is operable togenerate speed setpoints v_(x), which serve to command a forward speedof the sprayer machine 10 or to indicate an optimum forward speed v tothe operator to deliver the target rate Q without exceeding theoperating parameters of a selected drift reduction class c. Calculationof each speed setpoint associated with a given nozzle set may beperformed with the following values:

Application rate setpoint Q Product pressure setpoint p_(t) Operatingwidth w Nozzle spacing z Nozzle reference pressure of active nozzle setp_(x-ref) Nozzle reference flow of active nozzle set q_(x-ref) Pressurerange (max and min) of active nozzle set p_(dr-x)

The speed setpoints v_(x) are calculated for each nozzle set and eachdrift reduction class. The listed variables and constants are receivedby the controller 34 as described above in relation to the flow ratecontrol. The upper and lower pressure limits p_(dr-x) associated witheach drift reduction class are entered through the operator console 56as also described above.

Although the speed setpoints v_(x) may serve only as displayedindications of an optimum driving speed v for the selected nozzle set,this disclosure lends itself particularly well to TIM systems whereinthe speed setpoints v_(x) are communicated by ISOBUS link 32 to thetractor controller 28 and serve as speed commands that are dependentupon the selected nozzle set.

With reference to FIG. 8, the current speed setpoint v_(x) may bedisplayed on the Spraying Control Main screen 60 together with the nextlowest and next highest speed setpoints v_(x−1), v_(x+1), which indicateto the operator the next available speed setpoints at the selected driftreduction class. In this TIM-based system, the operator needs simply torequest a step up or step down in speed v to change between speedsetpoints v_(x), which ensures the application rate Q and driftreduction class requirements can be met with the available nozzles.

Returning to the embodiment of FIG. 2 having first nozzle set 21′,second nozzle set 22′, and third nozzle set 21+22′, the threecorresponding pressure-speed plots of FIG. 5 are overlaid with speedsetpoints v_(x) in FIG. 6. As can be seen from FIG. 6, the speedsetpoints correspond to the upper pressure limits for the selectednozzle set and drift reduction class as per Table 1 above.Advantageously, this causes the sprayer machine 10 to operate at anappropriate forward speed v to meet the drift reduction parametersp_(dr) and target rate Q.

The speed setpoints v_(x) depend, inter alia, upon the product pressuresetpoint p_(t) and the pressure range for the selected nozzle and theselected drift reduction class. For a selected nozzle set n_(x), aselected drift reduction class c_(x), and application rate setpoint Q,the speed setpoint v_(x) corresponds to the product pressure setpointp_(t) unless the product pressure setpoint p_(t) falls outside of thepressure range p_(dr-range) for the selected drift reduction class andnozzle set. If the product pressure setpoint p_(t) does falls outside ofthe pressure range p_(dr-range), then the speed setpoint v_(x)corresponds to the upper or lower pressure limits for the selected driftreduction class c_(x) and nozzle set n_(x). In other words, the productpressure setpoint p_(t) is trimmed if it falls outside of the pressurerange permitted by the selected drift reduction class and nozzle set.

Returning to FIG. 6, starting with a drift reduction class of 50% (c₅₀)it can be seen from the upper pressure limit p_(d), for nozzle set 21′is set at 7.0 bar, resulting in a speed setpoint v₁₋₅₀ of 9.2 km/h. Thecorresponding upper pressure limit for nozzle set 22′ is set at 8.0 bar,which gives a speed setpoint v₂₋₅₀ of 15.5 km/h. The corresponding upperpressure limit for the third nozzle set 21+22′ is dictated by the nozzlewith the lowest upper pressure limit which is nozzle set 21′. As suchthe corresponding upper pressure limit for the third nozzle set 21+22′is set at 7.0 bar, resulting in a speed setpoint v₃₋₅₀ of 23.6 km/h.

For the more stringent drift reduction classes, the upper pressurelimits for the respective nozzle sets are reduced due to the requirementfor a coarser spray quality. At 75% drift reduction, respective speedsetpoints v₁₋₇₅, v₂₋₇₅, v₃₋₇₅ of 5.9 km/h, 13.4 km/h, and 17.8 km/h arecalculated for the nozzle sets 21′, 22′, and 21+22′.

For both the 50% and 75% drift reduction classes, a continuous speedrange can be achieved between 4.2 km/h to 17.8 km/h wherein it ispossible to apply pesticide at the target rate Q (200 l/ha in thisexample) while meeting the drift reduction requirements. However, speedgaps g₁, g₂, represented by the horizontal lines in FIG. 6 result fromno nozzle set being available to deliver the target rate Q at thosespeeds under the requirements for 90% drift reduction. Over these speedgaps g₁, g₂, the pesticide is under applied.

It should be appreciated that the speed setpoints may be adapted inresponse to a change in the input parameters. For example, if theavailable nozzle sets are changed then this may accompany a change inupper pressure limits associated with the drift reduction classes. Inturn, the speed setpoints would be adapted accordingly.

The generation and use of speed setpoints v_(x) facilitates simplecontrol of the sprayer forward speed v and avoids a situation of underapplying the pesticide and/or breaching the thresholds associated withdrift reduction classes. When implemented in conjunction with TIMfunctionality, the speed setpoints v_(x) serve as discreet selectablespeeds that deliver an appropriate spray application for the respectivenozzle sets available. Although automatic selection of nozzle set may bebased upon the measured actual speed v_(a) (see below), the selection offorward speed v is commanded by an operator, and the forward speed (atleast under a TIM arrangement) may be selected from discrete values thatcorrespond to an optimum speed for the nozzle sets available.

Alternatively, the speed setpoints v_(x) serve as upper speed limits forselected nozzle sets, wherein the speed setpoint is stepped up or downin response to a change in selected nozzle set upon command of anoperator.

In yet another alternative embodiment, the speed setpoints v_(x) aredisplayed as a guide to the driver. In this case the controller 34 isconfigured to generate a driver alert in the form of an audible alertand/or a visual alert in response to receiving a speed command from thedriver that corresponds to a speed that exceeds the displayed speedsetpoint. Moreover, a driver alert may be provided in the case of anoperator commanding a switch in nozzle set wherein the current speedcannot deliver the application rate Q at the required drift reductionclass c_(x).

Although the generation of speed setpoints v_(x) has been described inrelation to a sprayer machine having multiple nozzle sets, a moreprimitive arrangement having only a single nozzle set may also benefitfrom the generation of speed setpoints to either command a speed orindicate an optimal driving speed for the various drift reductionclasses c_(x) stored on the controller.

An embodiment of a method of controlling the sprayer 14 is shown in FIG.10, wherein the method comprises receiving an application rate setpointQ, an upper pressure limit p_(dr-x), a nozzle reference flow q_(x-ref),and a nozzle reference pressure p_(x-ref), calculating a speed setpointv_(x) based upon the application rate setpoint Q, the nozzle referenceflow q_(x-ref), the nozzle reference pressure p_(x-ref), and the upperpressure limit p_(dr-x) (act 101); and controlling at least one of aforward speed (act 102 a) and a display (act 102 b) based upon the speedsetpoint v_(x).

Automatic Nozzle Switching

As mentioned above, nozzle controller 50 is embedded in controller 34and serves to selectively activate and deactivate the independentlycontrollable nozzles 21, 22 in an automatic manner. Automatic nozzleselection may be performed with the following values, which are inputinto nozzle controller 50:

Actual speed v_(a) Application rate setpoint Q Product pressure setpointp_(t) Operating width w Nozzle spacing z Nozzle reference pressure ofeach available nozzle set p_(x-ref) Nozzle reference flow of eachavailable nozzle set q_(x-ref) Pressure range (max and min) of activenozzle set p_(dr-x)

Speed ranges for each available nozzle set are calculated by the nozzlecontroller 50 and used to select an appropriate nozzle set based on thesensed forward speed v and optionally the selected drift reductionclass. The listed variables and constants are received by the controller34 as described above in relation to the flow rate control. The upperpressure limits p_(dr-x) associated with each drift reduction class areentered through the operator console 56 as also described above. Theactual speed v_(a) is provided by speed sensor 48 or other suitablemeans such as a satellite positioning system.

In contrast to known automatic nozzle switching systems, the nozzleselection and activation is based upon a measured actual forward speedwhich is referenced against the calculated speed ranges. The measuredpressure p and flow rate q are used only for the rate controller.

The lower and upper speed limits of each speed range v_(x-min),v_(x-max), for each nozzle set preferably correspond to the speedsetpoints v_(x) calculated as described above, wherein the speed rangesfor determining nozzle selection reside between the speed setpointsv_(x). Although the speed setpoints v_(x) are calculated based uponreference data and upper pressure limits p_(dr) relating to theavailable nozzles and drift reduction classes, the nozzle selection isbased on actual forward speed v rather than a sensed system pressure p.

Like the speed setpoints described above, the speed ranges are adaptedin response to the input parameters including application rate setpointQ.

In summary, the above-described agricultural sprayer machine andvariations thereof embody a number of concepts which can be implementedin isolation or in various combinations, and in a spraying machine,control system, or a method of operating a sprayer machine. Thereceiving and storing of operating parameters that relate to a pluralityof drift reduction classes allows, for example, the control of automaticnozzle switching or speed control, taking into account the requirementsfor the drift reduction classes. The generation of speed setpoints basedon selected nozzles and optionally on drift reduction parameters allowsan operator to control a sprayer with the assurance that the speed suitsthe nozzles and/or the legislative parameters of the task in hand. Theuse of a measured forward speed to control nozzle selection delivers aresponsive operating system.

From reading the present disclosure, other modifications will beapparent to persons skilled in the art. Such modifications may involveother features which are already known in the field of agriculturalsprayers and component parts thereof and which may be used instead of orin addition to features already described herein.

1. An agricultural spraying machine, comprising: a fluid deliverynetwork with a pump in hydraulic communication with a plurality ofspaced-apart nozzles; and an electronic controller configured to receiveand store an operating parameter for each one of a plurality of driftreduction classes, wherein the controller is operable to control atleast one of the pump, a vehicle speed, a nozzle selection, and adisplay based on the operating parameter of a selected one of theplurality of drift reduction classes.
 2. The agricultural sprayingmachine of claim 1, further comprising a pressure sensor configured tomeasure a pressure of the fluid delivery network, and wherein theoperating parameter is an upper pressure limit.
 3. The agriculturalspraying machine of claim 2, wherein the controller is furtherconfigured to receive and store a lower pressure limit for each one ofthe plurality of drift reduction classes.
 4. The agricultural sprayingmachine of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to cause thepump to operate at a pump speed to maintain the pressure of the fluiddelivery network below the upper pressure limit of the selected one ofthe plurality of drift reduction classes.
 5. The agricultural sprayingmachine of claim 1, further comprising a user interface in communicationwith the controller, wherein the user interface is operable to receivethe operating parameter for each one of the plurality of drift reductionclasses.
 6. The agricultural spraying machine of claim 1, wherein thecontroller is configured to receive an application rate setpoint, anozzle reference flow, and a nozzle reference pressure, and wherein thecontroller is configured to calculate an active speed setpoint based atleast in part upon the application rate setpoint, the nozzle referenceflow, the nozzle reference pressure, and the operating parameter of theselected one of the plurality of drift reduction classes.
 7. Theagricultural spraying machine of claim 6, wherein the controller isconfigured to receive a product pressure setpoint, and wherein theactive speed setpoint varies based on the product pressure setpoint. 8.The agricultural spraying machine of claim 6, wherein the controller isconfigured to limit a forward speed of the machine at or below theactive speed setpoint.
 9. The agricultural spraying machine of claim 6,wherein the controller is configured to display the active speedsetpoint on the display.
 10. The agricultural spraying machine of claim1, further comprising a plurality of nozzle groups disposed in amutually spaced relationship and connected to the fluid deliverynetwork, wherein each nozzle group comprises a plurality of nozzles thatcan be independently activated, wherein, when activated, a nozzle fromthe plurality of nozzles is put into hydraulic communication with thefluid delivery network, and wherein the controller is configured toreceive and store a respective operating parameter for each one of theplurality of drift reduction classes for each nozzle in the nozzlegroups.
 11. The agricultural spraying machine of claim 10, wherein thecontroller is configured to automatically select and activate at leastone nozzle from each nozzle group based upon the operating parameter ofa currently selected drift reduction class.
 12. The agriculturalspraying machine of claim 10, wherein a nozzle set comprises at leastone nozzle from each nozzle group, and wherein the controller isconfigured to calculate a speed range for each of the plurality of driftreduction classes, and to automatically select and activate a nozzle setbased upon a sensed actual speed and the speed range.
 13. Theagricultural spraying machine of claim 1, wherein the controller isconfigured to select one of the plurality of drift reduction classesbased upon a location identifier.
 14. A method of controlling anagricultural spraying machine having a fluid delivery network with apump in hydraulic communication with a plurality of spaced-apartnozzles, the method comprising: receiving and storing a respectiveoperating parameter for each one of a plurality of drift reductionclasses; selecting one of said plurality of drift reduction classes; andcontrolling one of the pump, a vehicle speed, a nozzle selection, and adisplay based upon the operating parameter associated with the selecteddrift reduction class.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:receiving an application map having a plurality of regions eachassociated with one of the plurality of drift reduction classes;receiving a location identifier; and selecting one of the plurality ofdrift reduction classes based upon the application map and the locationidentifier.
 16. The method of claim 14, further comprising: receiving anapplication rate setpoint, a nozzle reference flow, and a nozzlereference pressure; and calculating a speed setpoint for each one of theplurality of drift reduction classes based at least in part upon theapplication rate setpoint, the nozzle reference flow, the nozzlereference pressure, and the operating parameter.
 17. The method of claim16, further comprising: receiving a nozzle reference flow and a nozzlereference pressure for each one of a plurality of nozzle sets; andcalculating a respective speed setpoint for each one of the plurality ofnozzle sets for each of the plurality of drift reduction classes.